Snowboard tether device

ABSTRACT

A snowboard tether device comprising a base and a dome. The base is affixed to a snowboard and comprises two finger grips, a thumb grip and a receiving area with a steel plate. The dome comprises a top part, a bottom part, a shaft, a spool with a cable and a spring, and an underside with one or more magnets. When the shaft is in a locked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with both the tooth receiving area of the spool and the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome. When the shaft is in an unlocked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome but is not engaged with the tooth receiving area of the spool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of snowboards, and more particularly, to a snowboard tether device.

2. Description of the Related Art

According to research conducted on behalf of the inventors, seventy-two percent (72%) of snowboarders experience knee and/or ankle pain while on the chairlift because only one foot is attached to the snowboard, and the entire weight of the snowboard is therefore borne by one leg (usually the left leg). Some snowboarders compensate for this discomfort by positioning one side of the snowboard on top of the free foot (i.e., the foot that is not attached to the board).

Market research indicates that there were approximately five million snowboarders in the United States in 2007. If seventy-two percent (72%) of them are experiencing the problem described above, then between three and four million people are suffering on chairlift rides each year. Not only are the chairlift rides uncomfortable for these people, but the pain and discomfort they experience on the chairlift can lead to fatigue, which causes shorter days on the slopes and ultimately contributes to the likelihood of injury.

What is needed is a device that lessens or eliminates the burden placed on the knee and ankle of a snowboarder on the chairlift when the other foot is disengaged from the snowboard. The device must be easy to use and quick to engage and disengage, and it should have built-in safety features so as not to pose additional hazards to the snowboarder. The ideal device would also not be cumbersome or visible when the snowboarder is snowboarding.

Although there have been a few innovations relating to tethering systems for snowboards, none of them possesses the structural and functional advantages of the present invention. Described below are several inventions that deal generally with tether or harness systems, some of which relate to snowboarding.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,389,750 (Rogers et al., 2008) provides a quick connect tether system for a pet in which the leash and collar are magnetically coupled. The coupling has a female section and a male section that interconnect, and a magnet is disposed within the receptacle of the female section. The male section comprises a plunger that is magnetically attracted to the magnet in the female receptacle, and locking elements hold the male plunger in place within the receptacle.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,450 (Aguirre et al., 2007) discloses a writing instrument holding and retaining device comprising a wristband/bracelet and a tether/leash with a writing instrument holder. The tether/leash connects the writing instrument holder to the wristband. The writing instrument can be secured to the wristband when the writing instrument is not in use, and the tether/leash can be fastened to the wristband to keep it from dangling. The invention is intended to keep busy people from losing their writing instruments.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,328 (Malleis et al., 2004) describes a binding and boot engagement system for use with a snowboard with a step-in binding system. The system comprises a flexible tether, one end of which attaches to the snowboard and the other end of which attaches to the snowboarder. The tether is comprised of two pieces of nylon strap that attach to each other by hook-and-loop fastener in roughly the middle of the tether. The patent expressly contemplates that magnetic couplers may be used in lieu of the hook-and-loop fastener system, although no detail is provided as to how the magnetic couplers would be configured. The top half of the tether attaches to a belt that is worn around the waist of the snowboarder. In one embodiment, the top half of the tether comprises a retractable cable. A clip on one end of the bottom half of the tether attaches to an anchor that is fixedly attached to the snowboard.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,592 (Negus, 2000) involves a ski or skateboard harness assembly in which a person's leg and foot are secured to a skateboard or snowboard that does not otherwise have a binding system. A first strap is wrapped around the person's leg beneath the knee and above the calf, and a second strap is attached to the first strap and removably attached to the board. The second strap is held in tension and in sliding communication with the board so that the person's leg can be moved longitudinally along the board.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,656 (Thomson, 1976) discloses a surfboard leash for attaching a surfboard to a surfer. The surfboard leash has a tubular outer element made of rubber and a partially resilient inner reinforcement element made from a material that has limited stretching ability (such as braided nylon cord). The leash attaches on one end to a fixing ring or other mounting device on a surfboard. The patent does not describe how the leash attaches to the surfer, although what appears to be a leg band is shown in the figures.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2008/0108260 (Wiginton) describes a tether system for surfing in which a flexible strap is detachably connected to a surfboard and a surfer. The strap is connected at one end to the surfboard with a leash plug that is inserted into the deck of the surfboard. The other end of the strap has a flared end, and the strap is attached to the surfer with a coarse patch (preferably VELCRO™) that is free to slide up and down the flexible strap but cannot slide over the flared end.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0113787 (Siebrecht) involves a support device for easing the strain on the legs of the snowboarder by supporting the weight of the board when the snowboarder is on the chair lift or snowboarding. The device comprises a belt worn around the snowboarder's waist, a down strap, a flexible link, and a quick release clip. One end of the strap is attached to the snowboard with the quick release clip, and the other end of the strap is attached to the flexible link, which in turn is attached to the waist belt. The disadvantages of this invention are that it requires the snowboarder to wear a waist belt, and the strap is not retractable, which poses a safety hazard.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a snowboard tether device comprising a base and a dome; wherein the base is affixed to a snowboard; wherein the base comprises two finger grips, a thumb grip and a receiving area for the dome; wherein the receiving area comprises a steel plate; wherein the dome comprises a top part, a bottom part, a shaft and a spool; wherein the bottom part of the dome comprises an underside with one or more magnets; wherein the shaft extends vertically through the top and bottom parts of the dome and through the center of the spool; wherein a spring is wound around one part of the spool and a cable is wound around another part of the spool; wherein one end of the spring is fixedly attached to the shaft and another end of the spring is fixedly attached to the spool; wherein one end of the cable is fixedly attached to the spool and another end of the cable is attached to the base; wherein when the dome is pulled away from the base, thereby extending the cable, the spool is rotated in one direction, thereby creating tension in the spring; wherein the shaft comprises a toothed section; wherein the spool and the bottom part of the dome each comprises a tooth receiving area; wherein when the shaft is in a locked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with both the tooth receiving area of the spool and the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome; wherein when the shaft is in an unlocked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome but is not engaged with the tooth receiving area of the spool; wherein when the shaft is in a locked position, the spool does not rotate, and the length of cable from the dome to the base is fixed; and wherein when the shaft is in an unlocked position, the spool is allowed to rotate in a direction that relieves the tension created in the spring, thereby retracting the cable and pulling the dome to the receiving area of the base.

In a preferred embodiment, the shaft comprises two circular recesses; the top part of the dome comprises a ceiling and two fingers that extend downward from the ceiling of the dome; each finger comprises a knob; and the knobs fit into the circular recesses in the shaft to maintain the shaft in a locked or unlocked position.

In a preferred embodiment, the toothed section of the shaft has a height and the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome has a height; and the height of the toothed section of the shaft is roughly equal to the height of the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome.

In a preferred embodiment, the cable exits the dome via an aperture in the dome; the cable enters the base via an aperture in the base; and when the dome is situated on top of the receiving area of the base, the apertures in the dome and in the base are horizontally aligned. Preferably, the aperture in the base is situated between the two finger grips.

In a preferred embodiment, the receiving area has a surface area and the underside of the bottom part of the dome has a surface area; and the surface area of the receiving area on the base is less than the surface area on the underside of the dome.

In one embodiment, when the cable is extended, the magnets on the underside of the dome are coupled to a steel token in a pocket of a snowboarder. In an alternate embodiment, when the cable is extended, the magnets on the underside of the dome are coupled to a steel plate inside a fabric patch on an article of clothing worn by a snowboarder.

In yet another alternate embodiment, when the cable is extended, the magnets on the underside of the dome are coupled to a steel ring of a clothing clip. Preferably, the underside of the dome comprises a recess and the magnets on the underside of the dome surround the recess; the clothing clip comprises a hub surrounded by a steel ring; and the hub of the clothing clip fits into the recess on the underside of the dome. Preferably, the clothing clip comprises a top plate and a bottom plate; a piece of clothing is placed between the top plate and the bottom plate; and the bottom plate comprises a plurality of ridges to facilitate adherence of the clip to the piece of clothing.

In a preferred embodiment, the base is comprised of thermoplastic elastomer. Preferably, the dome is comprised of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the dome on the base.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with the dome off the base.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side section view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the spool and shaft of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the dome of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a section view of the dome with the shaft in a locked position.

FIG. 8B is a section view of the dome with the shaft in an unlocked position.

FIG. 9A is a section view of the top part of the dome with the shaft in a locked position.

FIG. 9B is a section view of the top part of the dome with the shaft in an unlocked position.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the shaft and spool of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the top part of the dome.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the pocket token of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the clothing patch of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the clothing clip of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the clothing clip of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the present invention in use by a snowboarder on a chairlift.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Base

2 Dome

3 Top part (of dome)

4 Bottom part (of dome)

5 Logo

6 Finger grip

7 Thumb grip

8 Shaft

9 Cable

10 Magnet

11 Steel plate

12 Receiving region (of base)

13 Spool

14 Aperture (in dome)

15 Aperture (in base)

16 Plug

17 Vertical slit

18 Circular recess

19 Toothed section (of shaft)

20 Tooth receiving section (of spool)

21 Tooth receiving section (of bottom part of dome)

22 Finger

23 Knob

24 Pocket token

25 Clothing patch

26 Clothing clip

27 Steel ring

28 Top plate (of clothing clip)

29 Bottom plate (of clothing clip)

30 Screw

31 Hub (on top plate of clothing clip)

32 Recess (in underside of bottom part of dome)

33 Hole (in bottom section of spool)

34 Slit (in shaft)

35 Rib

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the dome on the base. As shown in this figure, the present invention comprises a base 1 and a dome 2. The dome 2 comprises a top part 3 and a bottom part 4. The bottom part 4 of the dome 2 sits on top of the base 1 when the tethering system is not in use. The base 1 optionally displays a logo 5 or other insignia. The base 1 is shaped such that it comprises two finger grips 6 for facilitating removal of the dome 2 from the base 1. The base is preferably comprised of thermoplastic elastomer that allows the base 1 to flex with the snowboard; in alternate embodiments, the base is comprised of urethane or vinyl. The dome is preferably comprised of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). The base 1 is preferably secured to the snowboard with an adhesive strip and affixed outside of the binding from which the snowboarder's foot is removed while riding the chairlift (usually the right foot) with the logo 1 facing the end of the snowboard. This position allows two fingers to be inserted into the finger grips 6 and the thumb to be inserted into the thumb grip 7 (see FIG. 2) without contorting the hand.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with the dome off the base. As shown in this figure, the dome 2 comprises a shaft 8 that extends vertically through the center of the dome 2. As shown in subsequent figures, the purpose of the shaft 8 is to lock and unlock the cable 9 that joins the dome 2 to the base 1. One or more magnets 10 is/are situated on the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2, and a steel plate 11 (not shown) is embedded in the receiving area 12 of the base 1. Although FIG. 2 shows four rectangular magnets 10 forming a square around the shaft 8, the present invention is not limited to any particular number or configuration of magnets 10. In a preferred embodiment, the magnets are neodymium magnets (made of NdFeB).

The spool 13 (not shown) is located inside the dome 2 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), and the cable 9 exits the dome 2 via an aperture 14 that is formed at the joinder of the top and bottom parts 3, 4 of the dome 2. The cable 9 enters the base 1 at an aperture 15 (not shown) that is located directly behind that portion of the base 1 that is situated between the two finger grips 6. Referring to FIG. 1, the positioning of the two apertures 14, 15 is such that they are aligned (i.e., on roughly the same horizontal plane) when the dome 2 is resting on the base 1. The magnets 10 on the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 attract the dome 2 to the receiving area 12 of the base 1 when the shaft 8 is in an unlocked position and the cable 9 is allowed to retract.

In a preferred embodiment, the surface area of the receiving area 12 on the base 1 is less than the surface area of the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 such that a portion of the dome 2 extends beyond the base 1 when the dome 2 is resting on the base 1 (see FIG. 1). The reason for this is two-fold: first, the inventors have found that if all of the magnets 10 engage the receiving area 12, the magnetic force holding the dome 2 on the base 1 may be too strong; and second, it is easier to get a grip on the dome 2 if a portion of it physically extends beyond the base 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base of the present invention. This figure shows the location of the steel plate 12, which is preferably embedded within the receiving area 12 of the dome. Alternately, the steel plate 12 can be situated on top of the receiving area 12 of the dome such that the steel plate 12 is directly exposed to the magnets 10 on the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the base of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side section view of the base of the present invention. This figure shows the aperture 15 through which the cable 9 (not shown) extends. A cable plug 16 resides inside of the aperture 15 in the base 1 to prevent the cable 9 from dislodging. In a preferred embodiment, the size of the aperture 15 and the elasticity of the material from which the base 1 is made are such that if the cable 9 is pulled to a certain tension, the plug 16 will pass through the aperture 15, thereby allowing the cable 9 to disengage from the base 1. This is one of the many safety features of the present invention. Another safety feature is the fact that the cable 9 itself is retractable, which means that there is no exposed strap or cable when the tether is not in use.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the spool and shaft of the present invention. This figure shows the slit 34 in the shaft 8 into which the spring 16 (see FIG. 7) is inserted. It also shows the hole 33 in the bottom part 13 b of the spool 13 into which the cable 9 (not shown) is inserted.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the dome of the present invention. As shown in this figure, in addition to the top part 3, the bottom part 4, and the shaft 8, the dome comprises a spring (preferably a constant force or power spring) 16 and a spool 13. The spring 16 resides inside of the top section 13 a of the spool 13 and exits the spool at a vertical slit 17 in the top section. One end of the spring 16 is inserted into a slit 34 in the shaft 8 (see FIG. 6), and the other end of the spring 16 is folded around the vertical slit 17 in the top section of the spool 13. Thus, the spring incurs tension as the spool is rotated or wound around the shaft and relieves tension as it rotates or winds in the other direction. The cable 9 is wound around the bottom section 13 b of the spool 13. One end of the cable 9 is inserted into a hole 33 (see FIG. 6) in the side of the bottom section 13 b of the spool 13 and preferably held in place with a cylindrical end piece (not shown) that is molded onto the end of the cable and that presses up against the tapered walls of the hole. The other end of the cable 9 exits the dome 2 through the aperture 14.

The shaft 8 comprises two circular recesses 18 around the perimeter of the shaft 8, approximately one-third of the way down the shaft 8 (from the top). The purpose of these circular recesses 18 will become clear in relation to FIGS. 9A and 9B. The shaft also comprises a toothed section 19 that comprises a plurality of teeth that extend outward from the body of the shaft. These teeth engage with a tooth receiving section 21 in the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 and a tooth receiving section 20 in the spool 13. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, when the shaft is in an upward (locked) position, the toothed section 19 of the shaft 8 engages with the tooth receiving sections 20, 21 of the spool 13 and the bottom part 4 of the dome 2. In this position, the spool 13 cannot rotate, and the cable 9 length is fixed. When the shaft is in a downward (unlocked) position, the toothed section 19 of the shaft 8 engages with the tooth receiving section 21 of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 but not the toothed section 20 of the spool 13. In this position, the spool 13 can rotate, and the cable can be extended or retracted.

FIG. 8A is a section view of the dome with the shaft in a locked position, and FIG. 8B is a section view of the dome with the shaft in an unlocked position. The parts shown in these figures are discussed in relation to other figures.

FIG. 9A is a section view of the top part of the dome with the shaft in a locked position, and FIG. 9B is a section view of the top part of the dome with the shaft in an unlocked position. These two figures illustrate the purpose of the circular recesses 18 in the shaft 8. The top part 3 of the dome 2 preferably comprises two fingers 22 that extend downward from the ceiling of the dome 2 and culminate in knobs 23 that fit into the recesses 18 in the shaft 8. These knobs 23 serve to hold the shaft 8 in a locked (see FIGS. 8A and 9A) or unlocked (see FIGS. 8B and 9B) position. As mentioned above in connection with FIG. 7, the locked position means that the toothed section 19 of the shaft 8 is engaged with both the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 and with the spool 13. The unlocked position means that the toothed section 19 is engaged only with the bottom part 4 of the dome 2, and the spool 13 is free to rotate. In a preferred embodiment, the top part 3 of the dome 2 further comprises ribs 35 that extend downward from the ceiling of the top part 3 of the dome 2; these ribs 35 serve to hold the spool 13 and spring 16 in place.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the shaft and spool of the present invention. This figure shows more clearly the toothed section 19 of the shaft 8 and the tooth receiving area 20 of the spool 13. The height of the teeth of the toothed section 19 (as indicated by “A” in FIG. 10) is roughly equal to the height of the tooth receiving area 21 of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2.

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the top part of the dome. This figure provides a perspective view of the fingers 22 that extend downward from the ceiling of the top part 3 of the dome 2 and the knobs 23 on the ends of the fingers 22. The point at which each finger 22 joins up with the ceiling of the dome must have enough give to enable the tips of the fingers 22 (with the knobs 23) to move slightly back and forth in order to allow the shaft 8 to move upward and downward and the knobs 23 to move from one circular recess 18 to the other and enough rigidity that the knobs 23 are able to hold the shaft 8 in place in either a locked or unlocked position.

In operation, the dome 2 rests on the base 1 when the tether system is not in use (for example, when the snowboarder is snowboarding). In this position (with the dome 2 on the base 1), the shaft 8 will be in an unlocked position. To use the tether system, the snowboarder simply lifts the dome 2 from the base 1 and either holds the dome 2 in his hand or, preferably, couples the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 (with the magnets 10) to a piece of steel (see FIGS. 12-15) on or in the snowboarder's clothing. The latter method allows the snowboarder's hands to remain free to adjust gear, etc. Once the cable 9 is at the desired length, the snowboarder pushes down on the shaft 8 on the top of the dome 2 to lock the spool 13 and prevent the cable from extending further or retracting. The snowboarder then rides the chairlift in this position, with the weight that would ordinarily be borne by the leg (foot) that is still attached to the snowboard now being borne by the cable 9. As the chairlift approaches the disembarking station, the snowboarder decouples the dome 2 from the steel plate (or ring) on or in the snowboarder's clothing (e.g., FIGS. 12-15) and pushes up on the shaft 8 in the dome 2 to allow the cable to retract. The spring 16 then causes the cable 9 to retract, thereby pulling the dome 2 back to the base 1. This can all be done in a matter of seconds.

FIGS. 12-15 illustrate several different embodiments of the steel token, plate or ring to which the dome 2 is coupled when the snowboarder is on the chairlift. In the first embodiment (FIG. 12), the steel plate is a token 24 that can be placed in the snowboarder's pocket. With this embodiment, the magnets 10 on the underside of the dome 2 would be placed up against the outside of the pocket in which the token 24 is placed. (The magnets 10 are preferably strong enough to penetrate clothing.) Presumably, only a single layer of clothing would be between the pocket token 24 and the magnets 10. The advantage of this embodiment is that the token is completely out of sight when not in use. By contrast, the tether systems of some of the prior art embodiments discussed above (in the Background section) require the snowboarder to wear a waist belt that is clearly visible and must be worn the entire time the snowboarder is snowboarding.

In the second embodiment (FIG. 13), the steel plate is embedded between two pieces of fabric to form a patch 25 that can be sewn or ironed onto a piece of clothing (most likely the snowboarder's pants). This embodiment is visible but completely out of the way when the tether system is not in use, unlike the prior art tether systems that require the snowboarder to wear a waist belt.

In the third embodiment (FIG. 14), a steel ring is incorporated into a clip that can be fastened to the snowboarder's pocket or other piece of clothing. FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the clothing clip 26. The clothing clip 26 comprises a steel ring 27, a top plate 28, and a bottom plate 29. The top and bottom plates 28, 29 are fastened together with screws 30. The piece of clothing (pocket, waistband, etc.) to which the clip 26 is to be attached is placed between the top and bottom plates 28, 29. The inner surface of the bottom plate 29 preferably comprises a plurality of ridges to facilitate adherence of the clip 26 to clothing. The steel ring 27 is placed on the outer surface of the top plate 28 over the hub 31 on the top plate 28; alternately, the steel ring 27 may be covered in plastic.

The hub 31 is preferably circular in shape and extends outward from the center of the top plate 28. The hub 31 is preferably sized so that it fits within the recess 32 on the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 that is created when the shaft 8 is in an upward (locked) position (see FIG. 8A); thus, the dome 2 can be coupled with the clothing clip 26 only when the shaft 8 is in a locked position, which is yet another safety feature. The clothing clip 26 and dome 2 are designed so that the magnets 10 on the underside of the bottom part 4 of the dome 2 will align with the steel ring 27 on the top plate 28 of the clothing clip 26 when the dome 2 is coupled with the clothing clip 26.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the present invention in use by a snowboarder on a chairlift. As illustrated in this figure, the present invention alleviates the burden that would otherwise be placed on the snowboarder's left knee and ankle while on the chairlift.

The advantages of the present invention are numerous and include the fact that the tether system is not visible when not in use and the fact that no professional installation is required to use the present invention (the base is simply adhered to the snowboard with an adhesive strip). The magnetic connection between the base 1 and the dome 2 ensures that the dome 2 stays securely adhered to the base 1 during the snowboarder's trip down the slope, no matter how aggressive the terrain and regardless of the snowboarder's experience level. The fact that magnets are used rather than clips or other coupling devices and the fact that the cable is fully retracted when not in use are additional safety features of the present invention.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A snowboard tether device comprising a base and a dome; wherein the base is affixed to a snowboard; wherein the base comprises two finger grips, a thumb grip and a receiving area for the dome; wherein the receiving area comprises a steel plate; wherein the dome comprises a top part, a bottom part, a shaft and a spool; wherein the bottom part of the dome comprises an underside with one or more magnets; wherein the shaft extends vertically through the top and bottom parts of the dome and through the center of the spool; wherein a spring is wound around one part of the spool and a cable is wound around another part of the spool; wherein one end of the spring is fixedly attached to the shaft and another end of the spring is fixedly attached to the spool; wherein one end of the cable is fixedly attached to the spool and another end of the cable is attached to the base; wherein when the dome is pulled away from the base, thereby extending the cable, the spool is rotated in one direction, thereby creating tension in the spring; wherein the shaft comprises a toothed section; wherein the spool and the bottom part of the dome each comprises a tooth receiving area; wherein when the shaft is in a locked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with both the tooth receiving area of the spool and the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome; wherein when the shaft is in an unlocked position, the toothed section of the shaft is engaged with the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome but is not engaged with the tooth receiving area of the spool; wherein when the shaft is in a locked position, the spool does not rotate, and the length of cable from the dome to the base is fixed; and wherein when the shaft is in an unlocked position, the spool is allowed to rotate in a direction that relieves the tension created in the spring, thereby retracting the cable and pulling the dome to the receiving area of the base.
 2. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the shaft comprises two circular recesses; wherein the top part of the dome comprises a ceiling and two fingers that extend downward from the ceiling of the dome; wherein each finger comprises a knob; and wherein the knobs fit into the circular recesses in the shaft to maintain the shaft in a locked or unlocked position.
 3. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the toothed section of the shaft has a height and the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome has a height; and wherein the height of the toothed section of the shaft is roughly equal to the height of the tooth receiving area of the bottom part of the dome.
 4. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the cable exits the dome via an aperture in the dome; wherein the cable enters the base via an aperture in the base; and wherein when the dome is situated on top of the receiving area of the base, the apertures in the dome and in the base are horizontally aligned.
 5. The snowboard tether device of claim 4, wherein the aperture in the base is situated between the two finger grips.
 6. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the receiving area has a surface area and the underside of the bottom part of the dome has a surface area; and wherein the surface area of the receiving area on the base is less than the surface area on the underside of the dome.
 7. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is extended, the magnets on the underside of the dome are coupled to a steel token in a pocket of a snowboarder.
 8. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is extended, the magnets on the underside of the dome are coupled to a steel plate inside a fabric patch on an article of clothing worn by a snowboarder.
 9. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein when the cable is extended, the magnets on the underside of the dome are coupled to a steel ring of a clothing clip.
 10. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the underside of the dome comprises a recess and the magnets on the underside of the dome surround the recess; wherein the clothing clip comprises a hub surrounded by a steel ring; and wherein the hub of the clothing clip fits into the recess on the underside of the dome.
 11. The snowboard tether device of claim 9, wherein the clothing clip comprises a top plate and a bottom plate; wherein a piece of clothing is placed between the top plate and the bottom plate; and wherein the bottom plate comprises a plurality of ridges to facilitate adherence of the clip to the piece of clothing.
 12. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of thermoplastic elastomer.
 13. The snowboard tether device of claim 1, wherein the dome is comprised of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. 